U.S. patent application number 11/764995 was filed with the patent office on 2008-12-25 for remote controlled athletic field lighting system.
This patent application is currently assigned to QUALITE LIGHTING, INC.. Invention is credited to Dwight C. Shaneour.
Application Number | 20080316743 11/764995 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 40136272 |
Filed Date | 2008-12-25 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080316743 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Shaneour; Dwight C. |
December 25, 2008 |
REMOTE CONTROLLED ATHLETIC FIELD LIGHTING SYSTEM
Abstract
An athletic field lighting system, wherein fixtures are provided
in clusters. Each cluster can be turned, on and set to a nominal
output level. Thereafter, individual fixture output intensity
levels are adjusted by means of feedback loops containing a
photosensor mounted in the back of the reflector of each fixture
and a pole-mounted logic center which compares commanded and actual
output intensities and produces an error signal capable of
producing small increments of adjustment by way of dimmer packs
associated with individual fixtures. A short, range radio link is
provided between an athletic field command center and each of the
individual pole-mounted logic systems. A remote link between, a
remote control center and the field located control center may be
provided as desired.
Inventors: |
Shaneour; Dwight C.;
(Hillsdale, MI) |
Correspondence
Address: |
YOUNG & BASILE, P.C.
3001 WEST BIG BEAVER ROAD, SUITE 624
TROY
MI
48084
US
|
Assignee: |
QUALITE LIGHTING, INC.
Hillsdale
MI
|
Family ID: |
40136272 |
Appl. No.: |
11/764995 |
Filed: |
June 19, 2007 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
362/233 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F21W 2131/10 20130101;
F21V 23/0442 20130101; H05B 47/19 20200101; F21W 2131/105 20130101;
H05B 47/195 20200101; F21V 23/0457 20130101; F21V 23/0435
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
362/233 |
International
Class: |
F21V 21/15 20060101
F21V021/15 |
Claims
1. A multiple fixture lighting system for an activity area such: as
an athletic field comprising: at least one lighting fixture array
disposed proximate the area to direct light onto the area; said
array comprising a plurality of fixtures containing high-intensity,
electronically ballasted lamps and being mounted on a support; said
array further comprising a plurality of multi-level intensity
controls for array wherein each intensity control is connected to
at least one individual fixture and is capable of providing
multiple operating intensity levels in relatively small intensity
increments; said array further comprising a plurality of light
level sensors equal in number to the number of fixtures in the
array wherein each sensor is associated with an individual fixture
and capable of producing a signal related to the light intensity
being produced at any given time by the lamp in said fixture; a
command center located proximate the area for selectively
activating all of the fixtures in the array at selected nominal
intensity levels within an available range of relatively large
intensity increments; and a logic system associated with the array
and connected to receive individual fixture intensity signals from
said sensors and operative to adjust individual intensity controls
in relatively small intensity increments between said nominal
incremental levels as necessary to achieve substantially uniform
light outputs from all of the fixtures in the array.
2. A system as defined in claim 1 further including a radio link
between the command center and the logic system for selecting the
nominal intensity level.
3. A system as defined in claim 2 wherein said radio link is
bi-directional and carries information identifying each fixture in
the array.
4. A system as defined in claim 3 wherein said logic means is
capable of conveying a signal to said command center identifying an
individual fixture which is producing no light output.
5. A system as defined in claim 1 wherein said nominal intensity
levels include a first relatively low intensity nominal level
associated, with one type of activity, a second relatively higher
intensity level associated with another type of activity and a
third relatively higher level associated with still another type of
activity.
6. A system as defined in claim 1 further including a remote
command center and a radio link between said remote command center
and said command center located, proximate the area.
7. A lighting system for an athletic field, comprising: a plurality
of lighting fixture clusters-arranged around the field to direct
light onto the field; each of said, clusters comprising a plurality
of fixtures containing high-intensity ballasted are lamps mounted
on a support, each fixture having an associated electronically
variable ballast; each of said clusters further comprising a
plurality of multi-level intensity controls equal in number to the
number of fixtures in the cluster wherein each intensity control is
connected to an individual fixture for providing a relatively large
number of closely spaced incremental lighting levels; each of said
clusters further comprising a plurality of light level sensors
equal in number to the number of fixtures in the cluster wherein
each sensor is associated with an individual fixture for producing
a signal related to the light intensity output by the lamps in the
fixture; a local command center located proximate the athletic
field for selectively activating all of the fixtures in all of the
clusters at each of several available nominal intensity levels
spaced from one another by multiples of said relatively small
intensity increments; and a plurality of logic systems, each of
said systems being associated with an individual cluster and being
responsive to inputs from said command center for selecting a
nominal intensity level and further responsive to individual
fixture signals from said sensors for adjusting individual fixture
intensity controls by way of said electronic ballasts in said
relatively small increments as necessary to achieve substantial
uniformity in the light output from all of the fixtures in the
clusters.
8. A system as defined in claim 7 further including a radio link
between the local command center and each of said logic systems.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] This invention relates to lighting systems for activity
areas such as athletic fields for baseball, football, soccer, and
the like and more particularly to a lighting system which provides
selectable multiple levels of lighting intensity as well as
automatic, adjustment of individual fixture lighting intensity to
achieve substantially uniform lighting from all fixtures in an
array or grouping of fixtures as well as between all of the
fixtures in a multiple, array system.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] It is well known to use high intensity lighting fixtures
using metal halide lamps and parabolic reflectors to illuminate
activity areas such as athletic fields used for baseball, football,
soccer, tennis, go-cart racing and other sports activities. The
typical installation comprises clusters or groupings of fixtures
mounted on cross-arms which are typically mounted on poles
surrounding the athletic field to direct high intensity lighting
onto the activity area.
[0003] The typical system is turned on at a master control
location. The system, may be turned off manually or by timers which
cut power to the system after a pre-selected amount of operating
time or at a particular time of day. Controls can also be provided
to permit the energization of fewer than all of the available
fixtures where full intensity lighting is not needed.
[0004] It is well known that there are small differences between
individual fixtures using new lamps and even greater differences
between individual fixtures as the lamps age. If lamps are replaced
on an individual basis rather than in groups in a large
multi-fixture system, the result can be a system with conspicuous
differences in the intensity and color of light from the
fixtures.
[0005] It is also well known that high-intensity arc-type lighting
fixtures require the use of ballasts to control current after the
arc is established; i.e., to introduce resistance into the lamp
circuit as it transforms quickly from the high-resistance,
pre-arcing state to the low-resistance arcing state. Ballasts can
take many forms, the most, pertinent of which are the so-called
electronic ballasts as described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,109,668;
7,139,680; 6,914,395; 6,879,113; 6,541,923; 6,351,081; 6,107,754;
5,550,437; 5,434,478 and 4,441,053 as well as pending application
Publication Nos. 2006-0197470 and 2005-0179404.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] In accordance with the present invention, precise intensity
control of individual fixtures as well as a high level of
uniformity between all fixtures in an array is achieved. The
present invention provides not only an overall intensity command
capability which permits the selection of one out of several
available overall intensity levels for all of the fixtures in an
array, but further provides a feedback style-arrangement, for
adjusting the output, levels of individual fixtures in small
increments via electronic and other switchable ballasts including
capacitive ballasts and resistive ballasts so that ideally all of
the fixtures in an array of in multiple arrays produce essentially
the same light intensity and color at any given time.
[0007] In the preferred embodiment of the invention, a local
command center is provided at the activity area where, if desired,
an operator can provide inputs through switches or a keyboard or
other types of data entry instrumentalities, to select a normal
overall lighting intensity level for all the fixtures aimed, at the
lighted play area. The selected overall intensity level from the
local command center is communicated to logic systems mounted close
to the fixtures; e.g. on the supports (poles) for the individual
clusters, and from this point, intensity commands are delivered to
multi-level intensity control units, hereinafter termed "dimmer
packs", which preferably contain electronic ballasts capable of
adjusting the intensity level of one or more individual fixtures in
small increments between larger nominally selected increments in
accordance with signals received from photosensors associated with
each individual fixture. For example, if the light, outputs from
two out of eight individual fixtures in a cluster are below the
level selected for all eight fixtures, the sensors associated with
those fixtures develop signals indicating the low output
intensities, and these signals are used to adjust the intensity
level upwardly in increments via the dimmer packs until all of the
fixtures in the cluster are producing light at substantially the
same intensity level.
[0008] The data transfer between the command center and the logic
circuits associated with the dimmer packs can be hard wired but, in
the preferred embodiment described herein, is accomplished by a
short range RF link providing two-way data transfer. Within the
logic itself is a feedback loop including the commanded or
requested intensity signal and an actual intensity signal from the
sensor. If the two match, there is zero error and no adjustment is
made. If there is an error, an adjustment of the correct size and
sense is made.
[0009] If, for example, the sensor signal indicates that a given
lamp is effectively producing no light at all, that information,
along with the fixture location identity, is sent back to the
control center via the RF link.
[0010] Intensity commands can also come from a remote control,
location by telephone line, RF, VHF, or cell phone to the field
center. A system for the remote control of lighting is described in
U.S. Pat. No. 6,922,679 for "Software Integration Method to
Automate Lighting Control at Parks and Recreation Facilities," the
entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.
[0011] In a specific system, selectable intensity levels may be
associated with "practice", "league play", and "tournament play",
each nominal level calling for a higher level of light intensity
within the maximum capabilities of the overall system. Between each
of the "practice", "league", and "tournament" play levels, there
are numerous smaller increments of available intensity adjustments
producible by the individual fixture dimmer packs so that the
output intensity level of each individual fixture can be fine tuned
toward overall, system uniformity. The names "practice", "league"
and "tournament" are illustrative rather than exhaustive.
[0012] The features and advantages of the invention will be best
understood from a reading of the following specification which
describes and illustrative embodiment in detail.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
[0013] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an athletic field designed
for football and illuminated with eight clusters of fixtures
mounted on poles for directing light onto the athletic field;
[0014] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a representative portion of the
control system for the athletic field lighting system of FIG. 1;
and
[0015] FIG. 3 illustrates both the nominal and fine timing
increments of light intensity levels that are available using the
system of FIG. 1.
[0016] FIG. 1 shows a stadium style athletic field 10 for, as an
example, football having a lighting system made up of eight
clusters 12 of lighting fixtures 16 mounted on poles 14 at spaced
intervals around the outer periphery of the stadium. Each of the
poles 14 is provided with cross-arms 18 on which four fixtures 16
are mounted, this number being arbitrarily selected for purposes of
illustration only. All of the fixtures 16 are essentially
conventional; purely by way of example, they may comprise high
intensity metal halide lamps mounted in parabolic polished
reflectors to direct light onto the playing field during periods of
low ambient light. The lighting system may of course be used for
practice as well as for actual play on any of various levels
including league play and tournament play.
[0017] Referring now to FIG. 2, the details of a representative
portion of a control system for the athletic field lighting system
shown in FIG. 1 will be described in detail, in the illustrated
portion of the system shown in FIG. 2, only two lighting fixtures
16 A and 16B are shown with the understanding that they are
representative of all of the fixtures 16 in a cluster or array.
Each of the fixtures 16A and 16B is equipped with a high intensity
1500 watt, metal halide lamp 20 mounted off axis within the
reflector bowl. Again both the wattage and reflector configuration
are chosen purely by way of example. The fixtures may be variously
accessorized.
[0018] Each of the fixtures 16A and 16B has associated therewith a
dimmer pack 22 which is designed to provide ballast and multi-level
intensity control; i.e., to provide a large number of selectable
increments of light output intensity as indicated by the small
increment lines 60 shown in FIG. 3 between the larger nominal
intensity levels identified by the legends "PRACTICE", "LEAGUE",
and "TOURNEY". Suitable variable ballast dimmer packs 22 are
available, from Streetlight Intelligence international Limited of
Victoria, British Columbia. These dimmer packs are capacitive
systems specifically adapted, for ballasted light fixtures of the
type used in municipal street lighting, but are readily adaptable
to athletic field lighting of the type described herein. Additional
and alternative electronic ballast systems for intensity selection
in metal halide lamps are described in the US Patents listed above
as well as in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,612,478; 4,414,493 and 4,453,009,
the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference. A
variable capacitance system for simultaneously varying all of the
lamps in a multi-fixture system is described in U.S. Pat. No.
4,994,718 and the principles, of this system can be adapted to the
control of individual fixtures as described herein. In addition to
variable capacitance systems, variable ballast resistor systems
using switching transistors can also be used to implement the
dimmer packs 22, it being understood that each dimmer pack 22
provides all of the incremental levels 60 and all of the nominal
levels in light output intensity for each associated fixture
16.
[0019] As shown in FIG. 2, a field command center 24 is provided at
the stadium 10 for providing mass control of all of the fixtures 16
in the lighting system. Operator inputs to the command center 24
may be provided by a keyboard 25 or, alternatively, a system of
multiple switches with or without timers or ambient light sensors.
The overall control command for the stadium lighting system from
center 24 is connected to a short range transmitter receiver 26
having an antenna 27 linked to the antenna 29 of a short-range
transmitter receiver 28 associated with each pole 14 and therefore
associated with each cluster of fixtures 16A, 16B. The output
command from the short-range transmitter receiver 28 is connected
to a logic box 30 mounted on the pole 14 and serving both of the
fixtures 16A and 16B in the pole-mounted cluster. An output
command, for example, for "league" play might be input by the
keyboard 25, and coded by the command center 24 and sent by way of
the short range transmitter receiver combination 26, 28 to the
logic box 30. This command is output by the box 30 over lines 32
and 34 to the dimmer packs 22 associated with the fixtures 16A and
16B to nominally set the output intensity of each of the fixtures
as the "league" play level. If the output levels from the fixtures
16A and 16B are identical, the system continues to operate in this
manner for as long as lighting is desired. As an alternative to
local control, a remote control 36 may also be provided. The remote
control center 36 is not at the site of the stadium 10 but some
distance away for purposes of administrative convenience. The
remote center 36 is equipped with a long range radio control link
including an antenna 37 which is linked to an antenna, 38
associated with a long-range transmitter receiver 40 connected to
the field located command center 24. In this instance, signals from
the remote center 36 are used in place of signals from the remote
center 36 are used in place of signals from the keyboard 25 to turn
the system on and select the nominal level for lighting intensity.
The remote link may be by cellular telephone, short wave VHF radio,
UHF radio or hard wired as suits the needs and desires of the
specific system designer.
[0020] Each of the fixtures 16A and 16B is equipped with a
photosensor 42, 44 which produces an output signal, representing
the actual, light output intensity from its associated fixtures.
Sensor 42 is connected by line 46 to the logic box 30 to provide a
feedback signal representing the actual, performance of the fixture
16A. This signal is connected, to a comparator 48 which also
receives the nominal output level signal from the set command unit
50 in the logic box 30. If there is a difference between the
nominal commanded output level and the actual performance level,
the comparator 48 produces an error signal on line 52 which is fed
back to the unit 50 to adjust the output in line 52 which is fed
back to the unit 50 to adjust the output on line 32 by one or more
of the small increments 60 shown between the nominal levels in FIG.
3 so as to create essentially uniform and equal light output
intensity in color from all of the fixtures 16A, 16B in an
individual cluster. In a system of the type shown in FIG. 1, this
also has the effect of creating uniformity between all of the
clusters in a multi-cluster system. It will be understood that the
logic units 48, 50 shown in the box 30 of FIG. 2 are also used to
create a feedback loop for adjustment of the intensity of the
output of fixture 16B wherein, the sensor 48 is connected by line
54 to the logic box 30. The logic units 48, 50 may be duplicated,
for each fixture or used in a time-shared fashion as will be
apparent to those skilled in the art.
[0021] In the event one of the lamps 20 burns out, the absence of a
signal from the associated sensor 42 during a time when the fixture
is expected to be on and producing light is interpreted by the
logic box 30 as a burnt out or defective fixture and information
regarding: the specific fixture with the burnt, out bulb is sent
back to the command center 24 by way of the short range radio link
26, 28. This information can also be used to incrementally increase
the light intensity from all of the remaining operational fixtures
16 in the cluster containing the burnt out lamp so that the level
of light intensity on the field 10 remains at the desired level.
This result is most easily achieved where the logic units 48, 50
are used for all of the fixtures in the cluster and the appearance
of a burnt out bulb signal on any of the lines 46, 54 automatically
triggers the incremental increase in the intensity level of the
remaining operational fixtures.
[0022] The field command center 24 may be provided with a
maintenance memory and/or a printing capability so as to make of
record the fact that an individual fixture contains a burnt out
lamp and schedule maintenance by way of the replacement of that
lamp at a specific time. To achieve this, each dimmer pack must
have its own code and this code must be sent back to the command
center 24 along with an indication. A ten digit code similar to
that used for garage door operators can be used. The system may
also be used to monitor individual, lamp intensities and make a
record thereof so as to schedule lamp replacement in an organized
and systematic fashion. The field command center 24 is preferably
equipped with a microprocessor capability which can readily be
programmed to provide these and other accessory type features.
[0023] The short range radio link 26, 28 may be provided using UHF,
VHF infrared and/or any of a number of alternative short range
radio protocols approved by the Federal Communication Commission
and capable of carrying the desired data/intelligence level. The
"Bluetooth" data protocol has been found acceptable.
[0024] While the inventive subject matter disclosed herein has been
described in connection with a specific and illustrative system, it
is to be understood that not all features of the system need be
used together and further that various modifications and additions
may be made by designers of individual systems.
* * * * *